Blogger's Quilt Festival :: Absolutely Mod Pop {Quilt Photographer Category}

It was a difficult decision to decide what quilt to share for my second entry in the Blogger's Quilt Festival. I finally chose the one that was the biggest challenge. Though I love a quick and easy finish, those that stretch me as a sewist and a quilter are definitely an important part of my personal journey. And my Absolutely Mod Pop was definitely one of those projects.

When I first saw the quilt made by pattern designer Distant Pickles, I thought hers was amazing, but I really had no inclination to make one myself. But in the end, I decided to sew along with the Mod Pop QAL.

I chose seven Kona solids - Berry, Crocus, Hibiscus, Lupine, Petunia, Thistle, Violet, plus another Violet of unknown origin. The chain fabric is Northcott Colorworks' Pearl, a very light gray and still one of my very favorite neutrals. Templates were available, and cutting my curves out with a very small rotary cutter worked just fine. And then came the dreaded piecing.

Despite help from a variety of sources, I did struggle with it, and let it dawdle on much too long. Finally, though, the blocks were done, and from there the piecing was quick and easy. So the next big decision was the quilting, and though a challenge for me and my inexperience with free-motion shows now and then, it was hugely satisfying, being the largest quilt I had ever free-motion quilted (all the purples). In person you can see better that the purple thread I used was variegated. In the gray chains, I stitched with my walking foot echoing the curves with a solid gray thread, marking that center line with my hera before stitching.

A solid light purple binding finished it off, and we took it out for a very fun photo shoot. And I confess, I was pretty proud and pleased, yes even relieved, to have conquered the Mod Pop!

My previous entries in the Blogger's Quilt Festival:

HST Love, 5/17/13

The Stars of Summer, 10/26/12

Hopscotch, 5/19/12

Mango Revisited, 10/28/11

Supernova, 5/13/11

Linking up with the Blogger's Quilt Festival in the Quilt Photographer category. 

Finish-A-Long Fourth Quarter Finishes 2012

The fourth quarter of Quilter in the Gap's 2012 Finish-A-Long is drawing to a close, and I'm cutting it just a bit close reporting in!

Christmas lap quilt - Now known as "Maisy", I had only the center nine blocks done when my list was posted. Basicly I strip pieced WOF strips cut between 1" and 3" wide, then cut them into rectangular blocks. There was no real plan in organizing the fabric other than separating all my strips into three stacks by value. I humbly confess I was so much more pleased with the end result than I expected to be. And it coordinates lovely with our Christmas tree skirt, just as I'd hoped.

Mod Pop - I joined Leanne/shecanquilt's QAL on a whim and was midway through piecing the curves when this quarter began. Confession here is I struggled with accuracy on the curves, even with all the helpful hints. So I kind of drug my feet getting this done, but was rewarded by the enjoyment in quilting it. I used two different threads, and quilted both echo-stitching with my walking foot (the light gray parts) and free-motion (the purple parts).

Binary -  The blocks for this quilt were made by the Modern Blocks Bee. I stalled on this one until last weekend when I came up with an uncomplicated layout. Lap size, it was pretty quick to quilt up. Adding the matched binding was a little something extra that seemed to finish it off just right.

Modern Crosses quilt - There's no good reason this one isn't done, except that I let it happen. I wish I hadn't, but that's that, and I'm trying to make it up as quickly as I can. It has an appointment with a longarm next week, so it's my goal to make that appointment.

I have 25 blocks done. The remaining 35 are on the ironing board in some form or another. This one will go right to the top of my First Quarter 2013 list.

So that's a wrap on the 2012 Finish-A-Long. A big thank you to Rhonda for hosting this fun and motivating event!

A review of my previous quarters' finishes can be found here, here, and here. 

Random and More Random

One great way to start a day is to wake up to the news that you won a stack of fabric! And that's just what happened to me this morning. A random draw was taken from those in the Mod Pop QAL that had finished their quilt tops, and I lucked out as the winner! Much thanks to Leanne/shecanquilt for hosting the QAL, as well as Cindy/Fluffy Sheep Quilting for the generous stack! Just in case you missed my 'Ta Da' post, as Leanne calls it, you can read about my Mod Pop and see more pics here.

Only one of the bees I participate in has blocks due this month, and I've been working on them this week to clear the way for Christmas sewing. They are Converging Corners blocks for FAITH circle of do.Good Stitches. We are using a tutorial by Film in the Fridge.

Do any of you remember back in August, where one of the prizes for Tuesday at the {herbal} Table was a copy of Alice Currah's Savory Sweet Life?

Well I went to the Tom Douglas Cookbook Social on Tuesday night and met Alice! It was so nice to meet her in person and thank her for the support of A Quilter's Table! Do take a few minutes to visit her site - there's some pretty awesome looking Salty-Sweet Dark Chocolate Bark. mmmmm

Source: savorysweetlife.com via Debbie on Pinterest

And speaking of good tastes, here's a pic of a delicious Red Wine Velvet Cake I made for a staff birthday this week. With its Marscarpone Frosting, it is quite the revelation.

It's from Smitten Kitchen's new cookbook and this recipe is definitely getting marked with a star! The book is really lovely and I highly recommend it, but if you don't have it, there is another version of the recipe on her blog here. I plan on making this version also, as it makes a smaller (unfrosted) cake. I think there's room for both of these in my repertoire. 

If you live anywhere near Seattle, it's exciting news to hear that Drygoods Design's make*do*mend studio opens up this weekend! There are lots of great classes and events planned, plus it's right next door to their fabric shop and a tasty little coffee bar. I can't wait to check it out.

Lastly, are you having fun with Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day?! If you missed my giveaway, feel free to enter here!

Linking up with Really Random Thursday.

W.i.P. Wednesday

The highlight of this last sewing week was a happy finish, so of course I had to start some new projects! There's lots swirling around in my head this W.i.P. Wednesday, with Christmas just around the corner, and plenty of projects I'd still like to make!

Completed Projects
Mod Pop - It's done! See here for the full post and oodles of pics. Meanwhile, I thought I'd share a view of it all washed, dried, and crinkly!

Ruby Star Wrapping - I've done separate posts for the Perfect Wine Wrap and Little Snack Sack and mini.

Ongoing projects
Christmas lap quilt - The top is done! Backing is pieced, binding is made, now I just need to start quilting.

 

Modern Crosses quilt - No progress here, but it's next in line, quilt-wise!

Snack Sack minis - A dozen more are cut out and ready to whip up.

Falling Flakes stocking - All the pieces are cut out and I'm looking forward to getting going on this fun pattern by imagine gnats.

Upcoming projects
* Christmas!
* December do.Good Stitches blocks
* more frame purses
* Ruby Star Wrapping
* Binary quilt using blocks from Modern Blocks Bee
* scrappy Metrolink - January?
* Polaroid block projects
* placemats

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday.

Absolutely Mod Pop

When Julie of Distant Pickles first showed off her finished Mod Pop, I was totally wow-ed. I mean this quilt was unique and bold and fun. Not long after, I saw Leanne/shecanquilt's done in solids, and I just loved it. I really didn't consider making a Mod Pop myself, though, until Leanne came up with the Mod Pop QAL, and just for fun I decided to join in and make the baby size, just to go along for the ride and try something outside of my comfort zone.

For fabrics, I chose seven Kona solids - Berry, Crocus, Hibiscus, Lupine, Petunia, Thistle, Violet, plus another Violet of unknown origin. The chain fabric is Northcott Colorworks' Pearl, a very light gray. I purchased Julie's acrylic template set, and cut my curves out with a very small rotary cutter, which worked great. I got my first block put together at Sewing Summit.

1. Debbie's mod block 

In all honestly, I moved at a snail's pace from there. I just let those curves intimidate me. Not sure why, but I had issues getting them matched up just right. But I kept at it, and eventually the chain design really began to show itself off.

For the backing, I chose V and Co. Simply Color Ikat Diamonds Eggplant. For me, it was a perfect choice, has such a nice hand, and quilted up so nice! I really need to add more Simply Color to my stash!

I chose to use variegated purple thread for quilting the background of Mod Pop. It's King Tut "Crushed Grapes", which coordinated wonderfully! For the chains, I used light gray Aurifil.

I'll abstain from much self-criticism here - the good news is I free-motion quilted the majority of this quilt (the purple background); the bad news is, I'm still learning and gaining confidence. So in no way is it perfection, but it is done, and overall, I'm pleased. The chains were done with the walking foot, basically following the design. My hera marker came in very handy here.

As for the binding . . . there was a hearty discussion on Instagram when I asked for thoughts on binding. I was simply considering either a solid or a print (the Ikat Diamonds), and was a bit taken aback by the suggestions of orange! or yellow! Oh my. It sounded fun though, and I honestly did get those solids out and audition them. But either I had the wrong shades or who knows what, but they just didn't work for me. So Lupine it is. Maybe next time . . .

I took the quilt along in the car to finish binding today while hubby and I were out and about, and finish I did. Soooo, we decided why not have an impromptu photo shoot? 

So, Mod Pop is done! It was a stretch both in piecing and quilting, but I'm really pleased to have conquered it!

Linking up with finish it up Friday, At the end of the hallway, Friday Felicities, and Fabric Tuesday. AND this quilt was on my fourth quarter Finish-A-Long list! Also linking with shecanquilt's final roundup here.

W.i.P. Wednesday

I feel like I've made a little more progress this week - finishing a quilt top and choosing its backing, organizing my stash closet, which makes it sooo much easier to work, and getting a good start on the month's bee blocks. So a variety of projects to show for W.i.P. Wednesday today . . .

Completed Projects
Parisian Star - Susan of The History Quilter chose this block during her month in the Modern Blocks Bee. The pattern is by Leanne Cohen from Modern Blocks. Susan's fabric choices made this fun to construct - osnaburg for the background and Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks voile for the star.

 

Ongoing projects

Mod Pop Quilt-along - The top is done! Now to piece the backing and get to quilting!

Christmas lap quilt - No progress, but I've been thinking about it!

Modern Crosses quilt - I've been plugging away at blocks, and have quite a few more than this in one stage of completion or another.

November bee blocks - In the works and on schedule!

Lined Drawstring Bag - Decided it was time to do up a Christmas one, and am cutting into my Brrr! by Laurie Wisbrun, and using Jeni's pattern.

Upcoming projects
* Christmas!
* more frame purses
* Ruby Star Wrapping
* Binary quilt using blocks from Modern Blocks Bee
* scrappy Metrolink
* Polaroid block projects
* placemats
* Dresden project - back on the 'sometime' list, and probably no time soon

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday.

W.i.P. Wednesday

So it's W.i.P. Wednesday, and I've got two thoughts about today's post. One, that if you're a regular follower, you've seen most of this before, and two, seriously, how slow can one person piece three quilt tops? Pretty slow, as I've proven. That's just how life's been in the sewing room lately - slow and steady, with mostly little finishes. But these W.i.P. Wednesday posts seem to be my sewing journal of sorts, so I'll post it as it as. OK?

Finished projects
Hurricane Sandy Help! blocks - I managed to get 4 more blocks + 2 bindings done and shipped off to Jennifer, who already has a couple of quilt tops pieced!!

 

UR Priceless Blog Hop - It was fun making these little(3"!) frame purses with a variety of fabrics and techniques.

Ruby Star's Chinese Takeout Box - This little box was the first project in the Ruby Star Wrap-Along - an easy, quick, and practical project that I can see me repeating for a variety of occasions.

Cute Bot Skirt - This little toddler skirt was a birthday gift for grandgirl and was an easy foray back into the realm of making kid clothes. Very fun.

 

Lined Drawstring Bag - My go-to bag pattern by In Color Order came out again this week, which always makes a lovely finish. This one's "The Project Bag", made from Kate Spain's Good Fortune. The lining, which you can't really see, is a perfectly coordinating Free Spirit Designer Solids in Ice.

Ongoing projects

Mod Pop Quilt-along - So I'm piecing these two columns row by row, and then will add the edges. I'm in the home stretch, but taking my time.

Christmas lap quilt - This has been the view of the strips for the remaining blocks for the last week. I hope to get to them soon.

Modern Crosses quilt - Lots of strip piecing going on with this one. Once these strips are trimmed and pieced, I should have another dozen blocks done at least.

Upcoming projects
* October & November bee blocks
* scrappy Metrolink
* more frame purses
* Polaroid block projects
* placemats
* Binary quilt using blocks from Modern Blocks Bee
* Christmas!
* Dresden project - back on the 'sometime' list, and probably no time soon

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday.

W.i.P. Wednesday

It's been a real treat having my sewing machine back in the house! And note to self - and you - if you have a local shop that services your machine, do take advantage of the knowledgeable staff there. When I picked up my machine, I asked my favorite salesperson to sit with me a bit. And in addition to confirming that a few issues with my machine had been taken care of, she also cleared up some confusion I've had with tension while quilting, as well as introducing me to a few stitches I'd never tested out. Very fun. So it's been a good sewing week, and I've got plenty to share this W.i.P. Wednesday.

Finished projects
Sew Lux Design Challenge project - This tutorial wasn't live yet when I posted last week, so do check out my Mod Angles Cushion over at Sew Lux Fabric & Gifts.

Modern Baby Quilt block - This pattern is by Malka Dubrawsky, and is a mass of y-seams. It went together really nicely though, and I love the finished block. Marci of Marci Girl Designs chose this for her month in the Always Bee Learning bee.

 

Scrappy Charity block - This is actually a super-sized x and + block that finishes at 17.5" I used this tutorial  from badskirt, just increasing the size. I've been asked for the dimensions of each piece, so they are listed below.

center cross: 2 - 4" squares, 1 - 4" x 11" rectangle

cross edges: 4 - 4" squares

background: 8 - 4" squares

corners: 1 each of 4 different 7.5" squares

Ongoing projects
Hurricane Sandy Help! blocks - In less than a week, Jennifer of knotted thread "collected" 350 quilt blocks to make quilts for those affected by Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey. How awesome! I signed up for two scrappy blocks and six black/gray, and I have half my blocks done so far.

Mod Pop Quilt-along - So excited I have FOUR blocks done! That's all the complete blocks I need for the baby size quilt. Now it's on to the rows to fill in around them.

Christmas lap quilt - The two side panels have been added to the center. Now to make the blocks for the top and bottom. The strips are all cut, and I need to piece them to make 20 blocks.

Modern Crosses quilt - I've done quite a bit of piecing on this, but nothing more picture-worthy quite yet.

UR Priceless Blog Hop project - My little frame pouches are done! Come back tomorrow to see how sweet they are!

Upcoming projects
* October & November bee blocks
* scrappy Metrolink
* more frame purses
* Polaroid block projects
* placemats
* Binary quilt using blocks from Modern Blocks Bee
* Christmas!
* Dresden project - back on the 'sometime' list, and probably no time soon

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday, which is being hosted by my friend Svetlana from s.o.t.a.k handmade! I hope she has as much fun as I did!

W.i.P. Wednesday

Well my 'good' machine has been in the shop for over a week, but I hope to pick it up tonight! Meanwhile my trusty little Elna has served me well. So W.i.P. Wednesday can go on!

Finished projects
Trick or Treat Tote - I started the embroidery on this little project at Sewing Summit, and finished it up just in time to give to grandgirl for Halloween. The pattern is by The Sometimes Crafter, and finishes at 9" x 11". I cut the size down just a bit to make it more manageable for grandgirl, who is yet a toddler.

The orange dots and interior fabrics (including spider webs on the front lining that you can't see) were perfect, swag from SS shop-hopping.

Sew Lux Design Challenge project - The interview was posted here, and my project should be up very soon. At least I can show you the fabric bundle I got to work with! {Revised to say the tutorial is now available at Sew Lux Fabric & Gifts!}

Ongoing projects
Mod Pop Quilt-along - I have all my curves pieced!

Christmas lap quilt & Modern Crosses quilt - I've gotten plenty of cutting and piecing done, but it all needs a good press before continuing on.

Please call me on it next time I start three quilts at once! I'm making progress on all of them, but don't have much to show for it!

Upcoming projects
* UR Priceless Blog Hop project
* October & November bee blocks
* scrappy Metrolink
* more frame purses
* Polaroid block projects
* placemats
* Binary quilt using blocks from Modern Blocks Bee
* Christmas!
* Dresden project - back on the 'sometime' list, and probably no time soon

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday.